6 Volt Battery Update - what a difference!

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Wigpro

Wigpro

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2012
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1,289
Location
Montana in Summer - S CA this winter
I recently fought through fitting two 6 volt golf cart batteries in my 5er and what a huge difference.

Last year I remote camped at the same place with friends and had to run my generator everyday to keep my batteries up and my small electric freezer frozen - this year I left the freezer at home and I also replaced all my light bubs with LED's and camped a full 10 days and the batteries were still showing green on the meter....

I am impressed with the difference - I also ran my small 300 watt inverter to charge my laptop everyday with no issues....

Additionally I bought a small marine bilge pump and two 7 gallon water jugs and could easily add water to my RV, I could hook to the batteries or the easier method was to just take my portable 12 volt jump pack out and hook to that.

I got the batteries at Costco for about a $100.00 a piece - WOW - make the change it is worth it...

Jim
 
I'm looking into doing the same. My plan is to install the batteries then go someplace with hookups, but don't hook up unless I need to and see what works.

A couple of questions..
Did you use your furnace at all?
any TV?
I assume you ran your fridge on propane?
What are the ah ratings on the batteries you bought?
 
Just for the record, it has nothing to do with them being 6v. You probably nearly tripled your battery amp-hour capacity if you replaced one typical 12v with a pair of 6V GC2 batteries. Something like 230 AH instead of 85 or so.
 
I replaced two 12 volt marine deep cycle batteries with 2 6 volt golf cart batteries....

I did NOT run my propane heater - the primary consumption was the 12 volts for the propane fridge and some short term light usage so not much, I was conservative on my use - but still I would have been down to almost nothing for power in 2 or 3 days with the old batteries...and never would have been able to run my inverter for the laptop and a couple times small kitchen appliances.

Jim
 
Boy you did the DELUX upgrade.. Got rid of all the power hogs and installed better batteries to boot.

now I do have a comment on that... GOOD JOB!!!!

 
So I was quoted (2) 12v AGM batteries from a dealer (about to get my first RV).  I've heard (2) 6v could work better than (2) 12v.      Would you agree, and also - would that also apply to the AGM batteries (should I ask for (2) 6v instead of (2) 12v?)

Thanks!

Tom
 
A lot depends on how you will be using your rig and what your power requirements will typically be.  If you plan to stay only in parks with electrical hook-ups, then the 2-12v would be fine.  If on the other hand you are planning a lot f boondocking, particularly with multiple day's, then the 2-6V batteries would be a better choice because as Gary mentioned the 6v batteries will provide considerably more amp hours.
 
All that is well and good,,, BUT you still have to replace all you use to stay even at some point.>>>Dan ( tHE NEXT THING WOULD BE SOLAR)
 
So I was quoted (2) 12v AGM batteries from a dealer (about to get my first RV).  I've heard (2) 6v could work better than (2) 12v.      Would you agree, and also - would that also apply to the AGM batteries (should I ask for (2) 6v instead of (2) 12v?)
Click to expand...

The volts have nothing to do with it. You should ask for the amount of battery amp-hours of capacity that you think you need.

This myth comes about because people replace the small Group 24 marine type battery(s) that are typical small RV equipment with two nice GC2 6v batteries. The pair of GC2s have about 1.8x the amp hour capacity of the pair of 24's.  But if the 12v's installed were the Group 27 size, the ratio is only 1.1x, and with Group 29's it even up.  These are all similar physical size batteries, so no tricks in size.

AGMs are nice because they are essentially zero maintenance. Great for people who are not accustomed to keeping expensive battery systems alive and well.

May I suggest you read my article on Choosing an RV Battery - it's in the forum Library at Choose battery
 
Gary RV Roamer said:
AGMs are nice because they are essentially zero maintenance. Great for people who are not accustomed to keeping expensive battery systems alive and well.
Click to expand...
... or people like me who are just tired of doing it. Call me lazy but it's sooooo nice to only have to glance at the battery-monitor and dust off the battery-bank to make sure they're alright. It's not difficult to maintain standard lead-acid batteries, (although I've got decades of battery-acid stains on my driveway from doing it), it's just an RV chore I no longer have to do every month. Love those AGMs!

Kev
 
Kevin Means said:
... or people like me who are just tired of doing it. Call me lazy but it's sooooo nice to only have to glance at the battery-monitor and dust off the battery-bank to make sure they're alright. It's not difficult to maintain standard lead-acid batteries, (although I've got decades of battery-acid stains on my driveway from doing it), it's just an RV chore I no longer have to do every month. Love those AGMs!

Kev
Click to expand...

I am about there also Kev.  When the time comes to replace my 2-6V batteries, I will be looking at AGM's.
 
Just purchasing a Cougar Half Ton Series 21rbswe in the next week or so... we are negotiating two batteries on our new unit as our old camper had just one. We do have generator and owned a Kodiak Dutchman Ultimate 200Q without LED lights, so had to charge every morning to go thru the day. We do mostly boon-docking, as we are in the forests usually!

Read thru the article, your friend got his 20 bucks! but a very good read, as I knew very little about batteries and don't one to maintain one, and neither does the spouse.

Wondered if there were any updates on your preference of batteries since this thread started. As I am looking over my email from dealer he is offering a 12V battery + parallel kit. Not much information on type of battery, so I will have to do some inquiring... After reading your notes, I am thinking I want to ask for two flooded cell golf cart batteries instead of the 12V. Guessing that will change the price a bit, even though he wanted 158.00 for battery and kit and install on my new unit. May even want to buy our own and have them install, they seem to want top dollar for any add ons.
 
Wonder what a "parallel kit" is?  Obviously you need a pair of wires to connect a second battery to the first, but we are talking a couple 12" or so battery cables you can buy at Walmart or an auto parts store.

At $158 for two batteries and the cables, you aren't getting a real deep cycle battery bank. Probably two Group 24 marine deep cycles, which is what most RV dealers seem to think is an "RV battery". The size and shape of the battery compartment in the Cougar will dictate your choice somewhat, but the best bang for the buck will be two flooded cell GC2 (golf cart) batteries wired in series instead of parallel. Should be able to do those for about $200-$220. If you want 12v true deep cycles, the price probably jumps to $300, cause 12v deep cycles are a specialty item and priced accordingly. A Trojan 24TMX, for example.
 
Hi, that was for one battery, one battery is included with sale but we want two with the unit... I am thinking if you put two batteries together... that there must be some wiring, so they both charge when you are on shore power or generator???? but IDK.. I have never been so lucky to have two! Did check Costco and they have a 6V for 83.99, but not sure what model. May tell dealer, I will bring him the batteries, he can install them! ha....
 
If the batteries are mounted on the trailer tongue, the package price also includes a second plastic battery box with lid.  About $20 at any RV parts place.
 
There is nothing special about charging or using two batteries wired in parallel, Or series, for that matter. A far as everything else is concerned, they are just one large battery.

I don't see a tongue-mounted battery box on the Cougar half tons, so was guessing the battery is in a compartment. Whether there or on the tongue, there may be some logistics in finding space for a second one.

Costco has excellent prices on 6v GC2 batteries and they are solid performing deep cycles, even though private label brands. Probably much superior to anything the dealer would package up, especially as an add-on to a factory single battery, which is surely a smallish, marine type, 12v.  If you bring your own two batteries, he ought to install them for free as part of the sale overhead, plus you should get the original battery back as a spare. Not much parts or labor expense for him to do that.
 
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